Hakonechloa 'aureola' is a lovely grass if that's the one you mean, but it disappears completely in winter, not sure if you'd mind that or not. I like it so much I grow it anyway, but it does need dividing after about 3 years - it spreads sideways, not upwards. Carex 'evergold' is also lovely, very well behaved and evergreen, doesn't get too large, but its actually a sedge rather than a grass, which means it prefers more of a moist situation than a true grass such as Festuca glauca. This latter is evergreen, likes a fair amount of sun and definitely won't get too large.

I also like Hakonlechloa, but I also like Carex, blue sedge which is a pretty blue. That grows in a nice neat mound, as does Acorus Ogon. The foliage is yellow/green sort of stripes. Both these are evergreen and are easy to split.

I didn’t really intend buying one today but I was in b and q and saw a carex evergold .its healthy looking and a nice shape and I do like the fact it’s evergreen.hope it will survive the winter.
Thanks for your replies.i do like the idea of a blue one though.may get one later to put somewhere else.

Carex evergold is fully hardy.... you might find a bit of browning on the leaf tips if we have a bad winter, but that's more common if it dries out. Lovely little sedge, sort of punky and always bright and cheery to look at.

I have Loriopi aka 'monkey grass' which is evergreen with deep blue-green foliage, grows in sun or shade puts out these little white or blue flowers in late summer/early fall and black berries all winter which is very eye catching, never has to be mowed. Here is mine:

https://growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/347183-monkey-grass/member/bathgate

Liriope is an interesting one, never heard the name 'monkey grass' for it, but its not a grass at all, its an evergreen perennial, and in the UK its common name is sometimes lily turf. There is one 'Monroe White' that will grow and flower in complete shade, though most need either full or part sun; my favourite one is Liriope 'Ariaka-janshige' - but then I like variegated plants. The other one that's grasslike but isn't a grass is Ophiopogon -O. nigrescens is often commonly known just as black grass, and I think mondo grass in America.

It goes by different names, Loriopi, Big Blue, Lily Turf, Monkey Grass. It's not actual grass, but is very grass-like and will grow in places that grass will not. Does very well, in those shady areas, on slopes where mowing is difficult.
Also, black mondo grass is also worth a look.

For something a little different, have a look at Libertia. Lots of different varieties with pretty white flowers. Looks very much like a grass and is hardy in my garden in Kent.

If you want somethng bold, brash, yet beautiful and colorful, check out Fountain Grass: Fire Works, It's got the wow! factor.

Fountain grass is certainly a show stopper Bathgate but i really like the monkey grass because of the purple flower.i have bought carex evergold but will hold fire and see if they have monkey grass locally.nothing came up when I entered in the lead you gave me.dont know what you call it but you know what I mean.i tried twice sorry.you all seem to like the monkey grass.where I would want to put it would get quite a lot of sun in afternoon.

Look up Liriope if you want lily turf (monkey grass seems to be an american name, see my other answer above). If you can find any it'll probably be premium price right now because they're in flower, or at least, mine is. There are several varieties. Where you live though, you might find it looks tatty in late winter/early spring and you will need to cut it right back after winter is over, before the new leaves get going.

No the above is definitely NOT true. As mentioned, Loriopi is evergreen with deep blue-green foliage. It never looks tatty and I never thought it needed to be cut. Puts out black ornamental berries all winter. Comes in variegated or green/blue flowers or white. I've had it for over 10 years, Never thought it ever needed to be trimmed. There is also a large or mini version of this plant. Once I planted it, I took a few divisions, but never gave it a second thought. I'm happy with it.

Well this is confusing. There is no such plant with the name Loriope; if you google monkey grass, you get Liriope, which in the UK, might be commonly known as Lily Turf.. It does not produce berries, it produces seeds.

What does have dark green leaves, lilac flowers and black berries later is Ophiopogon japonicus, which in America may also be known as lily turf ( which is probably where the confusion arises) or mondo grass. There is also Ophiopogon planiscapus, which has white flowers with blue black berries later. Ophiopogon planiscapus 'nigrescens' has black leaves, and may be commonly known as black mondo grass in the US - it produces black berries too.

None of these Ophiopogon would suffer during winter, nor need damaged leaves cutting back because of winter. Ergo, I suspect your plant is actually one of the Ophiopogon, not Liriope.

Well I agree you are confused and that's just about it.

Gerardine: Simply follow this link to see exactly what I'm talking about. ↑ is mad because you didn't like her selection.

https://www.bluestoneperennials.com/LIBB.html

Pity you didn't post that link in the first place really, would have saved a lot of time.

Having looked at it, and regardless of your total inability to maintain a civilised and polite attitude, you are right - this plant is not one I was aware produced black berries. Good to learn something new, although if you'd spelt 'Liriope' correctly in the first place, or at least accepted the corrective spelling I produced a few answers back, that also would have helped..

Gerardine:

Listed with the RHS below, but it does say to plant in a sheltered spot out of cold winter winds - which would suggest damage to the leaves if not planted in such a situation, though it is fully hardy in the UK.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/10344/liriope-muscari/details

'Learn something new' & don't give erroneous information.

Right back at you...

Thanks for all your suggestions.still undecided though I’ve planted the carex it’s a bit small for the space but will keep it there meantime and be on the lookout.

The liriope looks like a larger version of grape hyacinth

There is a large version and a small version. You can also choose between variegated and plain green. It's not really like grape hyacinth. The leaves are flat and larger and evergreen

Geradine: the flowers on Liriope do look very much like grape hyacinth, but grape hyacinth (muscari) is, as you know, a small bulbous plant that flowers in spring. Liriope Big Blue's proper full name is Liriope muscarii Big Blue, so now you can see why! But Liriope is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with fibrous roots - the plants increase in size over time and can be divided.

No they don't. I thought you learned something new? Apparently not! Grape Hyacinth looks like a cluster of grapes as the name implies. I've been growing both for at least 10 years. When you compare the actual plants, there' is no comparison at all. The whole plant structure and classification is different. The leaves are different, the flowers are different, the color, the season is different. Grape Hyacinth cannot function as a grass substitute, it's not evergreen, no black berries. Dang! just read the description. I gave you the link. I gave you links to my pictures. I can't do any more. Grape Hyacinth is a Spring Bulb. Liriope does grow very well in the UK It's a low maintenance plant. It does best in moist soil and partial sun or light shade.

If you like, you can plant a few grape hyacinth bulbs in among the Liriope. That would be an interesting Spring show. I would go for crocuses though, you can get some warm colors in there for a spectacular spring. Crocus leaves are somewhat similar. Heck add some tulips too. It's your palette to design.

Gordon bennett....!

Gerardine, the Carex will grow bigger but it's not invasive and stays quite neat. Give it time.

Gerardine, although Hakonechloea is deciduous, it goes a lovely straw colour in the autumn and stays like that for months. I love it. I find Liriope just doesnt flower here. I’m still waiting patiently. It doesn’t look great in summer either. I’m disappointed with Liriope. Opiophogon or black lily turf does flower, but the flowers aren’t showy and its hard to see unless grown in light gravel like mine. Nice plant though. Uncinia rubra is a good compact bronzy grass and its evergreen, but its not fully hardy, and struggles a bit here. The showiest evergreen grass that I have is Carex oshimensis ‘Evereste’. If you like it I’ll send you some. I also have success with Carex evergold as mentioned above, and also with Acorus. They are both really pretty. But have you seen my pleioblastus auricomis? Its so pretty..like a short bamboo, gold. So pretty! Festuca glauca is nice if you have a sunny spot for it and great drainage, but i removed mine because they looked very tatty. Im going off grasses! Lol

The blue Carex spreads like a weed here. And its really a bog plant. But if you like that, its very strong and reliable. I’ve removed mine because it didn’t clump well and it seeded all over the place. I might have a seedling in a pot somewhere if you’d like one! I think my site was too dry for it.

I would like something not invasive preferably evergreen but can live with it if it isn’t.think I’ll say no to the blue one but I wouldn’t mind trying the Evereste one if you don’t mind.have you a photo of any of them.the one like a bamboo sounds good.i could order them from somewhere or just keep a note of name and be on lookout.

Not sure...try Google! Yes, there are pics on here...probably on my catalogue pages. X

I’ll have a shop around when I’ve time.my little dog molly is going to have a crucial ligament operation tomorrow then it’s at least 3 months recovery.she had it done on her left leg 2 years ago and we were told then the other one would probably go in about 2 years and they were right.poor wee thing she’s so brave.she hasn’t been getting any exercise but we have a dog stroller.ill post a photo later.she loves it.

Molly has had both of hers done too. Hope it goes well! X

Several members are growing Liriopi beautifully in the UK. Here is Hywel's picture for example. You should speak to him directly for details. I live in New York, but it grows just as nicely here too. Here is Hywel's picture...

https://growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/347510-liriope/all